Smog is air pollution that reduces visibility. The term "smog" was first used in the early 1900s to draw a mix of fume and fog. The smoke unremarkably came from burning coal. Smog was common in industrial areas, and remains a familiar sight in cities today.

Today, about of the smog we see is photochemical smog. Photochemical smog is produced when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and at least one volatile organic chemical compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. Nitrogen oxides come from motorcar exhaust, coal power plants, and factory emissions. VOCs are released from gasoline, paints, and many cleaning solvents. When sunlight hits these chemicals, they form airborne particles and ground-level ozone—or smog.

Ozone tin exist helpful or harmful. The ozone layer high up in the temper protects us from the sun's dangerous ultraviolet radiation. But when ozone is close to the ground, it is bad for man health. Ozone can damage lung tissue, and it is peculiarly dangerous to people with respiratory illnesses like asthma. Ozone can besides cause itchy, called-for eyes.

Smog is unhealthy to humans and animals, and it tin kill plants. Smog is likewise ugly. Information technology makes the sky brown or greyness. Smog is common in big cities with a lot of industry and traffic. Cities located in basins surrounded past mountains may have smog issues because the smog is trapped in the valley and cannot exist carried away by wind. Los Angeles, California, and Mexico City, United mexican states, both have high smog levels partly because of this kind of landscape.

Many countries, including the United States, accept created laws to reduce smog. Some laws include restrictions on what chemicals a manufacturing plant can release into the atmosphere, or when the manufacturing plant can release them. Some communities have "burn days" when residents tin can burn waste such every bit leaves in their g. These limits on chemicals released into the air reduce the corporeality of smog.

Smog is still a problem in many places. Everyone tin can do their part to reduce smog by changing a few behaviors, such equally:

  • Drive less. Walk, cycle, carpool, and use public transportation whenever possible.
  • Take intendance of cars. Getting regular tune-ups, irresolute oil on schedule, and inflating tires to the proper level tin amend gas mileage and reduce emissions.
  • Fuel upward during the libation hours of the day—dark or early on morning. This prevents gas fumes from heating upwards and producing ozone.
  • Avoid products that release high levels of VOCs. For instance, utilize low-VOC paints.
  • Avoid gas-powered thousand equipment, like lawn mowers. Employ electric appliances instead.

smog

Smog is often worst in the mornings, when there is less air movement.

Where the Air Is Not And so Articulate
During the early on 1900s, Mexico City was known for having some of the cleanest air in the world. Author Carlos Fuentes wrote a novel well-nigh the city in 1959 and called it Where the Air is Clear. Today, however, United mexican states Metropolis is ane of the smoggiest places on Earth.

Hugger-mugger
During the Great Smog of 1952, coal pollution blanketed the metropolis of London, England. More than 4,000 people died from respiratory ailments as a result. The smog was so thick that the urban center had to shut down roads, railways, and the airport. Robbers used the comprehend of smog to pause into houses and shops.

ailment

Noun

illness or disease.

airborne

Adjective

transported by air currents.

Noun

harmful chemicals in the atmosphere.

appliance

Noun

tool used to comport out a specific task.

asthma

Noun

disease that makes information technology difficult to breathe.

Noun

layers of gases surrounding a planet or other celestial body.

avoid

Verb

to stay away from something.

Noun

a dip or depression in the surface of the land or ocean floor.

behavior

Noun

anything an organism does involving action or response to stimulation.

blanket

Verb

to cover entirely.

burn down mean solar day

Noun

time designated by a community for called-for waste on private country.

Carlos Fuentes

Substantive

(1928-present) Mexican author.

carpool

Noun

system of transportation where one car transports several riders.

metropolis

Noun

large settlement with a loftier population density.

Substantive

night, solid fossil fuel mined from the earth.

electricity

Substantive

set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and flow of electric charge.

emission

Noun

discharge or release.

frazzle

Noun

gases and particles expelled from an engine.

familiar

Adjective

well-known.

Noun

clouds at basis level.

gasoline

Noun

liquid mixture made from oil and used to run many motor vehicles.

harmful

Describing word

damaging.

industrial

Adjective

having to do with factories or mechanical production.

Substantive

the geographic features of a region.

lawn mower

Substantive

machine that cuts grass to a uniform level.

lung

Noun

organ in an animate being that is necessary for breathing.

mass transit

Noun

large-scale public transportation, such as buses or trains.

mileage

Noun

number of miles traveled per specific amount of fuel, unremarkably a gallon.

mountain

Noun

landmass that forms as tectonic plates collaborate with each other.

nitrogen oxide

Noun

one of many chemical compounds made of dissimilar combinations of nitrogen and oxygen.

ozone

Substantive

form of oxygen that absorbs ultraviolet radiation.

Noun

layer in the temper containing the gas ozone, which absorbs most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

pigment

Noun

chemic used for color.

particle

Noun

small piece of material.

photochemical smog

Noun

air pollution produced when sunlight reacts with automobile frazzle.

Noun

introduction of harmful materials into the surroundings.

power plant

Noun

industrial facility for the generation of electric energy.

reduce

Verb

to lower or lessen.

respiratory illness

Noun

illness of the lungs.

restriction

Noun

barrier or prohibition.

Noun

type of air pollution common in manufacturing areas or areas with loftier traffic.

smoke

Noun

gases given off past a burning substance.

solvent

Noun

substance that dissolves another substance.

tissue

Noun

cells that grade a specific role in a living organism.

traffic

Substantive

move of many things, often vehicles, in a specific area.

tune-up

Substantive

regularly scheduled maintenance appointment for a auto or other vehicle.

ultraviolet radiation

Noun

powerful calorie-free waves that are too short for humans to see, but can penetrate World's temper. Ultraviolet is often shortened to UV.

valley

Substantive

depression in the Earth betwixt hills.

visibility

Noun

the ability to see or exist seen with the unaided centre. Also chosen visual range.

volatile organic chemical compound (VOC)

Noun

gas released from some solids or liquids that may cause harm to people and the temper.

Noun

move of air (from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone) acquired by the uneven heating of the Globe by the lord's day.

thou

Noun

country surrounding a house or building.

  • Credits

    Media Credits

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    Writers

    Kim Rutledge
    Tara Ramroop
    Diane Boudreau
    Melissa McDaniel
    Santani Teng
    Erin Sprout
    Hilary Costa
    Hilary Hall
    Jeff Hunt

    Illustrators

    Mary Crooks, National Geographic Lodge
    Tim Gunther

    Editors

    Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing
    Kara West

    Educator Reviewer

    Nancy Wynne

    Producer

    Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

    Sources

    Dunn, Margery G. (Editor). (1989, 1993). "Exploring Your World: The Adventure of Geography." Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Gild.

    Last Updated

    Jan. 21, 2011

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